Plans to revamp the CTA Blue Line's Douglas branch seem to be
progressing at the speed of the L trains on that
route--excruciatingly slowly. But they are, indeed, moving.

Within a few days, the agency plans to submit formal designs for
station and track improvements to the Federal Transit Administration
as part of the application process for funding.

The federal government has virtually assured the CTA that it will
get $320 million under the New Start program to rebuild the
dilapidated, century-old West Side branch. But before the CTA can get
the cash, it must fulfill certain requirements of what is called a
"full funding grant agreement." Submitting designs is one of the
final steps.

"We're almost there," CTA President Frank Kruesi said.

The Douglas branch parts from the Congress branch, which runs
along the Eisenhower Expy., west of Racine. It stretches 6.6 miles,
roughly from Polk in Chicago to Cermak in Cicero. Most of the branch,
4.4 miles, is elevated. Three stations are at ground level; eight are
elevated.

The Douglas was built between 1895 and 1912, and because of the
age and lack of repairs, nearly half of the route has "slow zones"
requiring trains to creep as slowly as 15 mph, lest they disturb the
rickety structure bracing the tracks. Top speeds should be 55
mph.

Many riders have abandoned the branch, finding quicker ways to get
around. Many others would ride it more, if the CTA restored weekend
and night-owl service, dropped in 1998 because of declining ridership
and deteriorating tracks.

"I think they ought to have the weekend service back," said Bill
Fabiani, 37, a Cicero resident using the California station
Friday.

"They can't ask the federal government for money to open it
Saturdays and Sundays?" asked Nora Watson. The 64-year-old West Side
resident exited the train at California, one of six stations that
would be rehabilitated, so she could see a doctor at Mt. Sinai
Hospital several blocks away.

CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said her agency will consider
beefing up hours of service after the project is completed. CTA
officials had hoped to start work late this year, but concede that
probably won't happen until early 2001, providing the federal
government signs off on everything as expected. The project would
take three to four years, Gaffney said.

The Polk station would get a new escalator, and Kildare's main
entrance would be relocated to Kostner.

Designs show the Douglas would become one of the most
architecturally distinct pieces of CTA property. Triangular canopies,
angled wind screens and greater visibility are among the design
features.

"It's going to look nice," said Efrain Maldonado, a 37-year-old
CTA customer assistant who works at the California station. Referring
to the tiny depot, he added, "It's due for an improvement."

"It looks like it's about to fall apart," said Patricia Anaya, an
18-year-old Pilsen resident and student at the University of Illinois
at Chicago who lives near the same stop. Shown an artist's sketch of
what the new station may look like, she said, "It's very appealing,
very attractive."

"I hope they don't close it down while they rebuild it," she
added.

Gaffney said those details are still being discussed.

But Kruesi and CTA Chairwoman Valerie Jarrett have said they don't
intend to shut down the entire branch during construction, as
happened with the Green Line reconstruction several years ago.

While the station improvements would be the most visible change
for riders, the reconstruction of the pillars that keep trains,
tracks and stations elevated would "lead to the improvement in the
quality and speed of the ride," she said. The support structure
between Polk and Keeler would be almost totally replaced.

The entire project, which will require the CTA to obtain 20
parcels of land near the branch, is expected to cost $420 million.
The New Start money would total $320 million, and the CTA would
receive $14 million in other federal money and $86 million from Gov.
Ryan's Illinois FIRST public works program.

The CTA also hopes to get federal funds to rebuild part of the
Brown Line.